By: Joe Cicchino - Sports Information Assistant

PHILADELPHIA -- Sophomore Isabelle Goldstein '20 said that prior to running the 2017 Inter-Ac League Girls Cross Country Championship, the team was not sure if having their whole top squad back would be enough. 

As it turns out, it was more than enough.

Germantown Academy repeated as Inter-Ac champions, placing first out of seven teams with a score of 34. William Penn Charter placed second with 42 points.

"I think they did amazingly well," said GA head coach Judy Krouse 1760 following Monday's meet at the Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park. "We thought we had a chance to win, but I didn't think it'd be by that wide a margin. We've had a lot of improvement over the course of the season. I don't think I could be more proud of these girls."

Krouse added that she thought the seniors - Sydney Sciascia, Grace Rittenhouse, Kelsey O'Hara, Anna Hennessy and Jacqueline DeRusso - did "an amazing job."

In addition to a top team finish, individuals also had success at the meet.

Goldstein finished second overall in the race with a time of 19:43.8.

Sophomore Gianna Murgia '20 and seniors O'Hara '18 and Hennessy '18 finished fifth, sixth, and seventh respectively. 

Overall, the Patriots had six athletes finish with a top-fifteen time.

"The seniors this year really stepped up as captains," Goldstein said. "Everyone did a great job with leadership. The JV team set the tone for the varsity team to do well."

Up next for the Patriots will be the 2017 Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Girls Cross Country Championship Meet on Saturday, Oct. 28. 

"I know there's a lot of room for improvement," Goldstein said. "I'm looking forward to the state meet on Saturday."

TEAM RESULTS

1. Germantown Academy - 34

2. Penn Charter - 42

3. Episcopal Academy - 83

4. Academy of Notre Dame de Namur - 99

5. Springside Chestnut Hill Academy - 117

6. Agnes Irwin School - 123

7. The Baldwin School - 187
 

FULL VARSITY RESULTS

FULL JV RESULTS